Luckily for Lambton Jaffas, the veteran shot-stopper was persuaded to stick around until they could find a suitable replacement.

With former Jets and Mariners keeper Ben Kennedy more than filling that requirement, Swancott is stepping aside at season's end after 23 years of senior football taking in national league with Newcastle, stints with Sydney clubs Bankstown, Parramatta, APIA Leichhardt and Manly and local competition with Lake Macquarie, Hamilton and Jaffas.

"I'm enjoying it but it's getting difficult now at the age of 40," Swancott said.

"All the other guys are early 20s, so I'm pushing fatherly age to some. It's a young man's game, and I run my own business now, and I've got a young family.

"I've had a good run. I was playing first grade when I was 17, and to still be doing it at 40, it's a bit of an eye opener."

Swancott has shared keeping duties with Kennedy since the 32-year-old signed in late June. Despite Kennedy coming directly from the A-League, Swancott has continued to show he deserves equal billing at the Jaffas.

Swancott has let in just 16 goals in 14 games this year, including four clean sheets and saving four penalties. His efforts have helped Jaffas maintain the best defensive record in the league of 17 conceded in 16 games.

Jaffas sit fifth on 30 points but they can jump to the NNSW NPL competition lead with wins over Maitland at Edden Oval on Wednesday night and the Roosters at Lake Macquarie on Sunday.

"If you've got a tight defence, you are always a chance of getting a win," Swancott said. "We create enough chances in games to win them, and I think historically the team with the best defence is in the semis and thereabouts when it comes to grand final day.

"If we win all of our games, we finish on top. But our aim at the start of the year was to get to the semis and we're on track to get there. We are pretty relaxed and comfortable with where we are, but in two more games if you ask me the question, there might be a different answer."

Jaffas have recovered from season-ending injuries to Andrew Pawiak, James Pendrigh and Bren Hammel to stay in the title mix. Nathan Verity (hamstring) went down in last week's win over Broadmeadow, but Luke Remington returns from suspension against Maitland.

Jaffas have won five of their past six and Swancott was confident they still had the team to go all the way.

"You want to be hitting form at the right time and we're still building into that," he said. "If we are into the semis, I think we'll give it a fair shake because we've got an experienced team."

Maitland will be missing Andrew Swan but hope to get Mat Swan back to face Jaffas.

The Magpies, who lost 2-0 to Mariners in the FFA Cup a week ago, defeated Hamilton 3-0 on Sunday to move to third spot on 33 points. They host Valentine on Saturday in another catch-up game.

Wins in both games will guarantee Maitland the premiership lead and confirm them as favourites for the title.

Coach Mick Bolch remained wary of the injury-hit Jaffas.

"They are doing all right and they still have plenty of quality, even with a few out," Bolch said.

Maitland midfielder Ryan Broadley remains out with a knee injury and may miss the rest of the season.

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